Tel-Air Films Enters the NonProfit Landscape

Tel-Air Films announces their new nonprofit agency focused on telling meaningful stories through film and digital production.

Five seconds into a conversation with Tel-Air Films’ Founder and President, Grant Gravitt Jr., and you know you are in for a bundle of exciting stories! Grant also heads up Tel-Air Interests, one of south Florida’s most established and innovative production companies. Created to champion underrepresented stories, Tel-Air Films received official nonprofit status with a letter dated February 26 from the Internal Revenue Service. Tel-Air Films will support the full lifecycle of socially driven film and video projects—from concept to broadcast—across local, national, and global platforms.

Grant is a native of Miami, Florida, but speaks with the cadence and intensity of someone from the northeast. He bubbles with enthusiasm as he explains how Tel-Air Films will be the most authentic way to make sure his work and the almost seventy-year legacy of his family’s business continues to provide important and often critical storytelling to be seen and experienced by the masses.

The nonprofit sector is not new to Grant, he has served in multiple leadership roles in many of South Florida’s most notable charities to include the United Way of Broward County, The American Red Cross, The American Cancer Society/Florida Division, The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and New World Symphony.

One of Grant’s proudest career milestones was being named a recipient of the Price Waterhouse Up & Comers Award by the South Florida Business Journal in 1996 at just 33 years old, an uncommon honor at the time. Four years later, he received the same recognition in Broward County, making him the only individual to receive the award in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties, a testament to his broad regional impact and leadership.

Equally meaningful to Grant was his volunteer service on the executive committee of the American Cancer Society’s Florida Division. Under his leadership, the organization raised over $8 million in support of cancer care and research. His efforts helped secure a $3 million donation from Winn-Dixie to launch the Hope Lodge Center, providing free lodging for patients undergoing treatment. That same year, he played a key role in establishing a partnership with the Florida Citrus Growers, culminating in a transformative $5 million contribution. These initiatives remain among the most impactful achievements of his long-standing commitment to nonprofit work.

Grant grew up in the editor’s suite of the Tel-Air Interests’ broadcasting studio. His memories take him as far back as seven years old. He cut his teeth working for his parents while they were filming the likes of The Beatles, Tony Curtis, Muhammad Ali, The Bee Gees and Julio Iglesias. He has a long list of famous celebrities and world leaders he has met and worked with over his tenure as a producer and director. His passion for his work is palpable and he mentioned several times his vision to make sure that all the important stories get told! He appreciates and recognizes his unique privilege in having access to so many people of power early on in his career, and now wants to try and open some of those doors for fellow creatives who are seeking a chance to prove their capabilities in the industry.

Launched to bring compelling, socially-driven stories to life through film and video production; Tel-Air Films will provide these services for independent and new filmmakers to amplify voices often excluded from the sector, and to create transformative change within the film industry. Grant stated, “Our organization envisions a media landscape where diverse voices are not only heard, but celebrated—where film and video serve as powerful tools for equity, awareness, and transformative change. Further, Tel-Air Films aspires to be a leading force in reshaping how the world sees and values underrepresented stories. With Tel-Air Interests we provide the services needed to create and facilitate productions. However, with Tel-Air Films, now we can expand our horizons and champion filmmakers. We accomplish this by providing access to our communities to produce impactful content.” Tel-Air Films will serve as a resource for the film community both locally and nationwide, with a mission to support driven and imaginative filmmakers who share a vision for bringing captivating stories to life.

Tiffany Terrell, Producer at both Tel-Air Interests and Tel-Air Films wanted to make sure the community knows the values of the new nonprofit and that equity, integrity, collaboration, creative excellence, and empowerment through media will be the agency’s main focus. Tiffany is a recent recipient of the Elevate 2025 “Rising Star” award for her exceptional promise, dedication, and drive as a shining leader of tomorrow.

Tiffany stated, “I am so thrilled to be part of the Tel-Air Films team and can’t wait to get started on our first project! We have so many great stories to tell through film, and a long list of talented folks we will be working with across the country. Our first project will take place in Miami, and we are lining up the talent and the support and will be announcing some exciting news in the weeks to come!”

Tel-Air Films has a diverse revenue model and will be penning grants, seeking donations and sponsors, and pitching projects to major networks, media companies and public broadcasting entities. If you are interested in supporting the work of independent filmmakers and want to see stories told by underrepresented creatives, you can contribute to Tel-Air Films by clicking here.

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